Traffic and Safety Resources

Mailbox Supports

Introduction

When vehicles collide with non-crashworthy obstructions
on the right-of-way the result can be
property damage, personal injury or even
death. See the Standards section for approved mailbox installation designs.

Responsibilities

Alaska Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is responsible
for making roads and roadsides as safe
as feasible.

Where new road construction projects
make it necessary to replace mailboxes,
DOT&PF removes existing mailboxes and replaces them with crashworthy installations. In all other
situations, property owners are responsible
for installing and maintaining crashworthy
mailbox installations.

Wood Cantilever mailbox installations may
be used on roads with or without curb and gutter.
The “Multiple Box” and “Single
Box” Metal Post Supports may only
be used on roads with curb and gutter.
The “Multiple Box” support
is a proprietary product and is available
commercially.

Newspaper delivery tubes may be attached
beneath the mailbox or on the side of
the mailbox support opposite the reflective
marker. Newspaper tubes
must consist of light sheet metal or plastic
construction. The name of the newspaper
may be imprinted on the tube; however,
no other printing or advertising is allowed. Property owners may install a crashworthy support for a newspaper tube if that property does not have a mailbox installation.

DOT&PF encourages the use of Neighborhood
Delivery and Collection Box Units (NDCBU),
sometimes referred to as gang boxes, at
locations with numerous mailboxes, such
as mobile home parks, apartments, and
subdivisions. Due to their size and weight,
NDCBUs should be installed off of the
highway right-of-way and must be installed
outside of the highway clear zone. If
possible, gang boxes should be installed
on low volume intersecting roadways or
on private property. If it is essential
for NDCBUs to be located on the right-of-way,
DOT&PF must be contacted to designate
an acceptable location. DOT&PF is
not responsible for the installation and
maintenance of NDCBUs. You may contact
the United States Postal Service (USPS)
regarding information about the installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Why
does my mailbox and support installation need to be an approved design?Mailboxes
are a hazard to the motoring public because
of their location on the roadside. Approved
mailbox supports are designed to reduce
the potential for severe injury or death
in the event of a crash.

What
type of mailbox and mailbox supports can I install?Mailbox designs must be approved by the USPS. These are generally available at local hardware stores. Mailbox installations on state roads must be
DOT&PF approved designs. DOT&PF approved
designs for mailbox supports and locations
are shown in Standards section. Wooden Cantilever supports
may be used on roads with or without curb and
gutter. The “Multiple Box”
and “Single Box” Metal Post
Supports may only be used on roads with
curb and gutter. The “Multiple Box”
support is a proprietary product and is
available commercially.

Can
I install custom mailbox supports? As described in the answer above, USPS approved mailboxes and DOT&PF approved mailbox installation designs are allowed on state roads. Many types of custom and commercially available mailboxes and mailbox supports are potentially hazardous if hit by a vehicle. Only mailbox supports constructed in conformance with DOT&PF approved installation designs available for download above in the Standards section are acceptable.

How
should I label my mailbox?The
USPS provides instructions regarding placement and size of lettering
on mailboxes. Note that any advertising
on a mailbox or its support is prohibited.
Decorative items that add weight to the
mailbox are not allowed because they can
become hazardous objects if the mailbox
is struck by a vehicle.

Who
furnishes the mailboxes and installs mailbox
supports? Where
new road construction makes it necessary
to replace mailboxes, DOT&PF installs
approved mailbox supports at new locations.
In all other cases, property owners are
responsible for installing and maintaining
crashworthy mailbox supports and mailboxes.
The mailbox itself must comply with USPS
standards. Contact the USPS with questions
regarding approved mailboxes.

Who
pays to repair an approved mailbox assembly
that has been knocked down by snow removal
or road maintenance activities?If
DOT&PF knocks down a properly designed
and installed mailbox support, it will
repair it without cost to the property
owner. However, DOT&PF is not responsible
for repairing or replacing improperly
designed mailbox supports or mailboxes
placed improperly in the state’s
right of way.

Do
I need a permit for my mailbox? No. However, all mailbox installations must be constructed in accordance with the approved mailbox installation designs provided in the Standards section in order to minimize risk to motorists.

Who
do I contact for more information about
roadside mailbox supports in Alaska?Contact
your DOT&PF Regional Traffic &
Safety Engineer’s office. Contact
phone numbers are located under Contact
Us.

Who
do I contact if my properly designed mailbox
assembly located on a state road is knocked
down by a snow plow?Contact
your local DOT&PF Maintenance &
Operations station.